Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: FC America CFL Spurs beat 3rd UPSL team to qualify for first time

by

Photo: FC America CFL Spurs

FULL MATCH VIDEO (YouTube)

FC America CFL Spurs of the United States Soccer League (formerly known as the National Soccer League) knocked off a third straight UPSL club to qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time. On Sunday night, they defeated one of the top teams in the league, Leg-AZ World FC, 4-1 to clinch a spot in the 109th edition of the tournament.

The Orlando area-based club originally registered as “CFL GOSA Spurs” but later changed their team name to “FC America CFL Spurs” prior to their opening game. They reached the “Win & You’re In” round after back-to-back clean sheet victories. The Spurs crushed their opening round opponents, with an 8-0 win over Florida-Central Division bottom-feeders Deportivo Lake Mary. Then a narrow 1-0 win over Harbor City, a team in third place in the same division. Leg-AZ World FC (Leg-AZ stands for Life Education Growth – Association of Friends) entered Saturday’s game in first place with a 7-1-1 league record.

“We are very proud to have qualified for the US Open Cup on our first try,” said FC America head coach Akeem Flemmings. “We are looking forward to working hard to keep it going.”

FC America hosted the game at Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Fla., just outside of Orlando. The home team wasted no time opening the scoring. Thirty seconds into the game, pressure by FCA created a turnover on the right wing. Then the ball was played on the ground to William Eyang at the top of the box. With two defenders on him, he received the ball and make a quick move to split the defenders and beat the keeper with a low driving shot.

In the 37th minute, Leg-AZ was putting pressure on the FCA goal and earned a throw-in deep in the home team’s defensive third. The throw came in to the penalty area and was headed clear and fell to an FCA player. He immediately played the ball up the field to the feet of Eyang who did a kick-and-run past the last defender near midfield and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper from 60 yards away. He dribbled all the way to the penalty area and beat the helpless netminder to make it 2-0.

Eyang, a former pro who was the UPSL’s golden boot winner in the 2021 Spring Season when he played for the Florida Tropics, has scored four goals in this year’s qualifying tournament for FC America.

Two minutes later, Leg-AZ struck back with a cross from the right wing that found an unmarked Phanor Shelby right in front of goal, who headed it past the goalkeeper to cut the lead in half.

In the 66th minute, the Spurs would extend their lead when Jayson Udom received a pass on the right side of the penalty area and fired a low shot to the far post, just out of the reach of the goalkeeper.

The match would remain 3-1 until stoppage time when a shot was blocked in the penalty area by a defender and the ball lofted into the air. Melvrik Fernandes was at the right place at the right time as he brought the ball down and beat the keeper. It was the second goal in as many games as Fernandes scored the lone goal in the win over Harbor City in Round 3.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Miami United, “El Equipo Del Pueblo”, back in USOC after win

by

Photo: Miami United FC

In the stands in Hialeah, Florida on Sunday, a banner read “EL EQUIPO DEL PUEBLO” (The People’s Team).

No doubt the host Miami United FC faithful enjoyed the performance from their team as fans, family, and friends will now get to watch Miami play in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Proper — and they’ll likely be hoping for another inspired performance from their main man, Robertino Insua. He netted a brace for the home side in a 3-1 win over visiting City Soccer FC.

It was Miami’s 10th straight qualifying win dating back to 2020. United qualified in 2020 (3 wins) but the US Open Cup was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After not entering in 2022 (the club’s NPSL side qualified instead), Miami returned for the 2023 competition and won four games to qualify. Adding the three wins from this year, that gives them 10 straight wins, which is the longest winning streak of the competition’s short history, which began in 2015. Combined with Miami United’s NPSL club, the 2024 US Open Cup will mark the sixth time the club will participate in the United States’ national championship (7th time that they qualified, if you include 2020). It is also the team’s fourth straight qualification to the tournament.

“This is certainly will be the most important Open Cup run given how football has grown, especially in South Florida,” said Miami United CEO Roberto Sacca. “We couldn’t miss the 2024 edition of the US Open Cup as we will try to do our best as the underdog and our dream is to get to play against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF.”

The match between the two United States Soccer League (USSL) rivals started out with Miami controlling much of the possession. Although that didn’t lead to many chances right off the bat, a shot from just past the center circle highlighted the first 10 minutes. Miami United did not maintain its stranglehold on possession for the rest of the first half but they would be the ones to break the deadlock.

In the 26th minute, a mistake at the back led to City Soccer conceding first. A failed clearance led to a deflection which put United’s Insua in on goal. He tucked it past the opposing goalkeeper, close to the near post.

In the 39th minute, Miami United had another good chance to score when a pass found an open man at the edge of the City box. The visitors’ goalkeeper managed to get a strong hand on it and pushed that shot wide. A third good attempt was saved by a defender helping his keeper out when United got a free shot in the 42nd. The tide of the first half was certainly flowing one way.

The second half started with controversy as City Soccer’s Juan Basco received his marching orders following an accumulation of yellow cards. Despite going down a man, City Soccer showed they would not go quietly. Beside two good chances off of corner kicks in the 68th and 72nd minutes, they held firm. Unfortunately, those would prove to be the most dangerous opportunities. Miami United found another breakthrough in the 73rd minute through Josduard Serrano following the set piece to give themselves a 2-0 cushion.

Miami took another step toward putting the game to bed in the 77th minute off yet another set piece. This time, directly from a free kick, Insua stepped up to put an exclamation point on the game. City Soccer’s shot stopper and his wall stood no chance in the face of Insua’s precision.

“Robertino is our Lionel Messi, our “DIEZ”, the undisputed leader of a fantastic group,” said Sacca. “Robertino comes from a family with a football DNA, his brother also plays in the Argentine Serie A and his dad Ruben Dario Insua is the current coach of San Lorenzo.”

According to Sacca, Insua grew up in the San Lorenzo de Almagro and subsequently made his debut in professional football in Ecuador with Liga de Portoviejo and Guayaquil City before arriving in the States with Miami United where he scored 67 goals (16 in the US Open Cup play and 51 goals since Nov. of 2021.). During this competition Insua has scored nine goals in three matches.

City showed a “Never Say Die” attitude throughout the whole game. In the 90th minute it was Miami United’s turn to attempt a clearance which would land in their own net as the ball from a Miami defender smacked into a City Soccer player’s chest and went into the net. The lone goal would be all the visitors had to show for their efforts, however.

“I feel that a great group is being created thanks to the work of the new coach Mr. Claudio Frean,” said Sacca. “Our goal is to try to repeat our magic run from the 2018 US Open Cup where we reached the 4th round and faced Orlando City SC.”

FULL MATCH

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: FC Folsom takes advantage of early Inter SF red card, wins 4-2

by

Photo: FC Folsom

An early red card in Sunday’s match to advance to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was seemingly too much for visiting Inter San Francisco as host Folsom FC advanced with a 4-2 win, securing the club’s first chance at US Open Cup glory.

Folsom FC had never been in the Cup before while Inter San Francisco made it last year. Both teams had very different styles of play, with Inter San Francisco playing very physically with a team of very large players. Folsom FC on the other hand relied on speed and an aggressive offense, which ultimately worked out well.

Folsom FC captain Luis Aguilar said the team is excited for their debut in the Cup next spring.

“We’re very excited and very anxious to see what’s next,” he said. “It’s a learning experience for all of us. But I think we’re a senior team. We’re all (in our) mid-twenties, that’s probably our average age, so I think we’ve all played at high levels. I think we know what it takes.”

The game got off to a rough start for Inter San Francisco, with a red card given in the 10th minute to Sebastian Alvarez for spitting. Down a man, the odds of coming out ahead in the match were diminished. Despite the man advantage, the match remained scoreless for the first half, with the ball mainly being controlled by Folsom.

Aguilar said their play was “hectic” for the start of the game, but after Inter San Francisco’s red card, Folsom started playing as a team and their game came together. Controlling the ball for most of the game, they seemed to be playing calm, contrary to Inter San Francisco, who played a very physical game.

Aguilar says that once they adjusted to the physicality, they “really picked it up on the physical aspect, mental aspect and the technical aspect as well.”

The second half started fast with a goal from Inter San Francisco’s Javier Rivera in the 46th minute but Folsom responded quickly to tie the game through Kody Duff.

Ten minutes later, Folsom’s Moshi Wilondja scored in the 63rd minute, taking the first lead of the day. Just two minutes later Joe Restrani did the same, extending the lead and putting Folsom in control. The game was idle for a bit, until Folsom FC’s Gabe Padilla scored in the 75th minute, to extend its lead to three.

Inter responded with a goal from former pro Matt Fondy — also in the 75th — but it wasn’t enough and the game ended at 4-2.

The last moment of excitement came in the 88th minute with a scuffle taking place on the field, involving most of the players on the field. Although nothing major happened in the altercation, and no red cards were assessed, a player on both teams each received a yellow.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Vereinigung Erzgebirge wins PK shootout, earns first USOC berth since 2002

by

Photo: Vereinigung Erzgebirge


Vereinigung Erzgebirge (VE) qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open Cup after their win over New Jersey Alliance on Sunday, 0-0 (4:2 on penalty kicks). It will be VE’s first time participating in the tournament in more than two decades (though it did qualify for the cancelled 2020 tournament). It was one of the stranger games in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying rounds: an initial yellow card was changed to red, extra time was shortened, and two teams who usually have no trouble scoring held each other goalless. In the end, penalty kicks decided who moved on. VE edged out New Jersey Alliance after the Alliance missed two penalties. It will be the first time Vereinigung Erzgebirge has featured in the Open Cup since 2002.

This fixture was always going to be difficult for both teams. Vereinigung Erzgebirge is used to grinding out wins and battling an opponent all 90 minutes. New Jersey is a well-disciplined and tactical team that wants to play their way. Unsurprisingly, the game started with lots of shuffling for position and feeling out the opponent. The Alliance had the better opportunities, even without their star striker, Isimohi Bello, who had four goals in the last round against Philadelphia Ukrainian Americans. New Jersey Alliance could not capitalize on their opportunities, as they were caught by the offside flag on a few occasions and stopped by Vereinigung Erzgebirge goalkeeper Steve Paul.

The second half saw immediate substitutes from both teams as the action heated up. Bello would sub in for New Jersey with the hope of giving them the lead. While his appearance did offer more upfront for the Alliance, it was clear that VE was growing into the game. In particular, a shot from a corner missed everyone in the box but managed to hit the far post itself. A well-worked ball from the left side was set up perfectly but was quickly flashed over the bar. As the seconds ticked away, extra time looked necessary. Neither team could break the deadlock, and the crowd was treated to more soccer.

It was in extra time that every player and coach realized it was now do-or-die. Heads would go down after every miss, and teammates and coaches alike were vocal after the numerous fouls called. One, in particular, was a crunching tackle from Vereinigung Erzgebirge captain Kevin Smolyn. The sound of cleats clashing with pads so suddenly grasped everyone’s attention. The referee was in a good spot to make a call, a difficult one, and chose to show yellow. Moments later, he conferred with his assistants, and the card was changed to red. The Vereinigung Erzgebirge bench was furious with the decision as it appeared the change was made without formal evidence. The officiating crew stood by one another and were united in the decision being a red card. That brought Vereinigung Erzgebirge down to 10 men with the second half of extra time to play.

This brought us to the next twist in the tale. The United States Soccer Federation and the match commissioner shortened the second period of extra time to ten minutes due to the field’s lack of light. Although the match kicked off at 2 p.m., it was now close to 4:30. The sun was due to set at 4:41. This presented a slight advantage to Vereinigung Erzgebirge as they only needed to keep New Jersey Alliance at bay for 10 minutes before going to penalties.

They would do exactly that. During the short break in play, both sets of players seemed exhausted. Penalty takers were selected, as was the goal and order for shooting. The final act of the U.S. Open Cup qualifier had a new player – the home crowd. More than 100 people wrapped in jackets and blankets were now outside cheering for Vereinigung Erzgebirge. New Jersey were able to convert their first penalty calmly, but the eruption after every VE spot kick was incredible. New Jersey would unfortunately miss two penalties, leaving the final score Vereinigung Erzgebirge 4 and New Jersey Alliance 2. Upon the final penalty, VE players celebrated their accomplishments on the field with friends, family, and the Under-15 side. A moment that showed the pride of their program since 2002.

After the match, New Jersey Alliance coach Matthew Farrell felt his team had a great overall effort but didn’t assert their style of play as the match went on.

“I think it’s just a little bit of a rush where you’re not getting the necessary breaks, and then you try and resort to a long ball style of play, which isn’t what we’re used to,” said Farrell.

His counterpart, coach Rob Oldfield of Vereinigung Erzgebirge, quickly highlighted how home-field advantage played a role in the victory.

“What a great crowd,” said Oldfield. “Amateur soccer should be like this.”

As for Oldfield, he was a member of the 2002 squad that last played in the US Open Cup for Vereinigung Erzgebirge. The history of the moment was not lost on him.

“I’ve been basically chasing this my whole life to get the team back in it.” Several people congratulated him, even after the sun had officially set.

Vereinigung Erzgebirge are the victors and seek to make their mark on the US Open Cup after it has eluded them for so long. The party in their clubhouse was historic, and, in a sign of good faith, New Jersey Alliance players were invited as honored guests. Truly, the magic of the Cup was alive and well.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Brockton FC United uses lengthy stoppage time to get revenge on Pancyprian Freedoms

by

Photo: Brockton FC United

On a chilly night in Jamaica, Queens, the New York Pancyprian Freedoms and Brockton FC United looked destined for extra time. Both teams were held scoreless as the clock neared the 90-minute mark at St. John’s University’s Belson Stadium. However, over ten minutes of second-half stoppage time saw four goals and a red card. The final whistle saw Brockton book its ticket for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup with a 3-1 win.

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” said forward Wuilito Fernandes. “We had our goal which was to win the (UPSL) regular season, which we did, and win the playoffs. Unfortunately, we slept on that one last weekend against (Olé Football Club). Our other goal was to go as far as we can into the US Open Cup and try to make sure we qualify.

“We did what we had to do to prepare after that tough loss to come here and get the good result. It’s a great feeling, it’s special, it’s priceless.”

This will be Brockton’s second-ever Open Cup appearance after first debuting in the 2022 tournament. The Massachusetts side has made it to a “Win & You’re In” match in four straight qualifying tournaments (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024).

That first match in the fall of 2019 was against the Pancyprian Freedoms, who won 1-0 as the game ended early due to weather. Brockton head coach Jose Mendes said after Saturday’s match that he and many on the team had not forgotten that game.

“Just like it happened to us back in (2019) where they eliminated us to qualify for the tournament, that was our goal,” Mendes said through a translator. “To come here and actually make sure they feel the same thing that we felt back then.”

Brockton made sure their win was as painful for New York as possible in front of a crowd of 30 fans at Belson. In the 90th minute, they had a quick attack up the middle. Leandro Alves had his shot saved by Rafael Diaz, who was unable to catch the ball. As it rolled, Alves went for it, and Diaz, on the ground, extended his hands. According to the referee, Diaz grabbed the player’s legs and forced him to trip, earning a penalty shot.

Fernandes, a former USL professional who has caps with the Cape Verde national team, stepped up. His shot into the top left corner gave Brockton a 1-0 lead in the 90+1st minute.

The Freedoms kicked off just as the clock ticked over to 93 minutes. Within 120 seconds, the game was tied. A cross from the left side found Matthew Forester, who tapped it back in the box. A whiffed shot by a Pancyprian set the ball trickling towards Joe Holland, who slammed the ball into the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Again, the game looked destined for extra time. But the referee allowed play to continue. A foul in the New York end gave Brockton a free kick, which they took quickly. Stephan Teixeira shot low towards the left post, which Diaz saved. Manuel Alejandro Pereira Castellon jumped on the loose ball and struck it into the right side to make it 2-1. He ran towards the Brockton bench and was swarmed by his teammates as Pancyprian players argued with the referee; Both about offside and that the free kick was taken too quickly.

With momentum back on their side, Brockton’s Euclides Ramos Mendonça iced the game with a shot from miles out. It chipped Diaz and found the back of the net in the 11th minute of stoppage time.

After it was all done Fernandes noted that the referee initially said there would be seven minutes of stoppage time after the initial go-ahead PK was scored. He said even that felt like slow motion, feeling closer to 15 minutes (which eventually, it got close to being).

“It felt so long,” the Cape Verde national said. “We’re just happy it ended and we’re just happy we’re the ones that came out on top. And now we’re excited to get back on the road and enjoy this victory.”

Of note, Brockton’s Jose Orlet Tavares had been cautioned in the 70th minute and subbed off later. He removed his coat and ran onto the field in uniform to celebrate, running across the pitch near the Belson bleachers. That earned him a second yellow, meaning he will miss Brockton’s first Open Cup match.

The first half went by fairly quickly but neither team found the back of the net. New York was forced to make an early sub within the first ten minutes after a head-to-head collision. A Brockton takeaway got the ball to Pereira Castellon. He sent a high ball into the box where St. John’s alumni Luke Hansen and Brockton’s Leonardo Teixeira slammed heads while trying to head the ball. Teixeira eventually got up but Hansen, who got up and walked shakily before sitting down again, was subbed off for Camil Koreichi.

Overall, New York had the better offense in the first 45 minutes. Former professional and Grenada national team player Shavon John-Brown skied a header over the crossbar in the 10th minute. For much of the first half John-Brown, who scored a brace last round, was playing near the midfield. It turns out Pancyprian, missing players due to injury and inability to adjust the roster during qualifying, was trying to adjust.

Holland, another former professional, returned to the starting XI and played up top. In the last 15 minutes, he shot into the side of the netting and got a weak shot off from the top of the box that the keeper jumped on. In stoppage time, Holland got under a free kick in the box but headed it wide right to keep it scoreless.

For the visitors, Brockton’s best assets were great set-piece defending and fast breaks. The side stopped at least three New York corner kicks and two free kicks near the penalty area.

A Brockton FC United player strikes the ball in the heavy rain in the club’s 2020 US Open Cup qualifier against the New York Pancyprian Freedoms. Photo: Liz McQuilkin – Mass Soccer

Joseano Paulo Tavares struck a hard shot right to keeper Rafael Diaz in the 12th minute. The team’s best chances of the first half came in the 39th minute. After a Holland shot was saved, United countered quickly up the right side. Running to near the end line, the ball was played to Leonardo Teixeira six yards from the net. His shot was saved by Diaz but put back into play. Pereira Castellon quickly jumped on the rebound attempt but that was blocked by a diving New York player.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game and we tried to stay as open as possible,” Mendes said. “Especially when we transition back and forth. Make sure we do it in an organized way.”

After the break Brockton’s offense began to pick up possession. In the first 20 minutes, United received two yellow cards and two free kicks on opposite sides of the Pancyprian box. Another in the 68th saw a Brockton player attempt a bicycle kick but not get fully connected with it.

New York wasn’t quiet either. John-Brown began to move up and Holland continued to threaten. A 65th-minute shot went right to Brockton keeper Christopher Moura. Ten minutes later, he ran down the left side and danced around a defender near the end line. But moving the ball towards the net, he either crossed or shot, allowing United to block it back into play.

Forester got a great scissor kick-off in the 88th minute. Moura made a jumping dive to his left, but the ball sailed wide of the goal.

For New York, it is another crushing disappointment. The three-time Open Cup champions have not competed in the tournament proper since 2016. Their last qualification in 2020 was snubbed when COVID-19 canceled the tournament for the first time ever.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: South Carolina United puts past behind them, qualify with rivalry win

by

Photo: South Carolina United Heat

After so much trial and error in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualifying tournament over the past three seasons, the South Carolina United Heat finally broke through. The Heat became the first Open Division Local club to qualify for the tournament proper out of the state of South Carolina with a 4-2 win this weekend over fellow UPSL side, Tennessee Tempo FC.

Led by two late goals from Alejo Binaghi, the pain and heartbreak of the past is now nothing but a memory, as SCU Heat get to go dancing.

The two clubs, who are more than familiar with one another, met on a cold Saturday night in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The sides have met in the national playoffs in league play in each of the last two seasons.

In addition, both of these sides came into the game familiar with this stage of the Open Cup, with SCU Heat reaching “Win & You’re In Weekend” each of the last three seasons without progressing further, while Tennessee Tempo (formerly Beaman United) qualified for the tournament proper last season (they lost their opening round game vs. Des Moines Menace of USL-2).

With all that familiarity came a great intensity and fireworks early. In the 4th minute, Tempo took the lead off a finish from Chijioke Otuonye. However, the advantage in the scoreline would last a mere five minutes.

SCU Heat was able to clip in a set piece opportunity and shuttle the ball back across the face of goal, fooling every defender wearing red — along with the goalkeeper — to set up a tap-in for Coby Atkinson in the 9th minute.

About 26 minutes later, after chances for both teams, SCU Heat found themselves in a 2-on-1 counter attack and made this opportunity count as Ronaldo Fortune finished it off, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead into halftime.

Coming out of the break, things looked much like they had immediately before halftime for the first 15 minutes. However, as the hour mark passed, Tempo quietly took control of the run of play. A succession of corners and possession in the final third paid off in the 74th minute as Eli Brady was able to head home the equalizer at 2-2.

With the minutes ticking away, and the flow of the game returning to a much more even state, Tempo player/coach and former MLS player Kwadwo Poku subbed himself on to try and give his team the boost in the final minutes. However SCU Heat took control of the scoreline less than 60 seconds later as Binaghi found himself in space and fired the visitors back in front to make it 3-2.

Tempo desperately threw both players and the ball forward, but that left them vulnerable at the back, and the ball once again found Binaghi, who made it 4-2 with the last kick of the game.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: UPSL champs FORO SC shuts out Alamo City to qualify

by

Photo: FORO SC

The 2022 UPSL National Champions FORO SC rounded out its first US Open Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win over Alamo City SC.

The San Antonio outfit travelled north to the DFW Metroplex looking to avenge a defeat to FORO’s near-neighbors D’Feeters Kicks SC a year prior, but ran into a late flurry of goals after losing goalkeeper Vincent Florio to a red card.

Opportunities were few and far between in the first half, with Alamo City’s compact defense keeping FORO SC at bay. The South Texas side had the best chance to break the deadlock after a long ball upfield found its way through to Kai Louviere on a clear run at goal. Ivan Bengono produced a world-class tackle from behind in the area to knock the ball away as Louviere looked to shoot.

The night turned for the visitors after a moment of madness by Vincent Florio in the early stages of the second half. The Alamo City goalkeeper came out of his area to challenge for the ball, but lost possession. Rather than making a beeline for goal, Florio chased the FORO players in possession, scything down Juan Ramirez with a late challenge as the shot from Ramirez was comfortably cleared away. With only three outfield players on the bench, defender Cameron Cortez took over the gloves for the final 37 minutes.

The opening goal came in cruel fashion as Cortez spilled a save off a Juan Ramirez shot through a crowd of players. A couple of players in orange attempted to guide the ball in before Nigel Katawa stabbed the ball home in the 67th minute.

Katawa then doubled the lead seven minutes later with a header off a throw-in from Rio Ramirez.

FORO SC saved another pair of goals for the closing stages, as Alex Molano saw a low drive from outside the box keep inside Cortez’s near post with three minutes to play. In stoppage time, Molano had another shot from outside the box. This time Cortez got to the ball, but could only watch Hector Romero poke the rebound home from just beyond his fingertips to end the night and see FORO SC through to the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Christos FC ends Open Cup drought with late winner vs. NoVa FC

by

Photo: Christos FC

It was a cold windy night in Leesburg, Va. as Northern Virginia FC hosted rivals Christos FC in the fourth and final Open Division Local qualifying round for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. It was the visitors, Christos FC who would prevail on a late goal by Clement Blanc to win 1-0 and return to the Open Cup for the first time since 2018.

As the game progressed it became more and more obvious that these were two teams that knew each other well, as it became almost like a chess match with both sides having trouble breaking down the other.

“Anytime you’re at this level of the competition you know the team on the other side will be prepared but when it’s NoVa it means a little more,” Christos head coach Larry Sancomb said before the game. “They have an excellent coach, well trained players. They played well against us earlier in the year so we always make sure to respect our opponent.”

It was a game of few chances, the first half saw both teams struggle to get into any kind of rhythm. The best chance of the first half fell to NoVa’s left back KJ Nadeau. The opportunity was created by Eric Cavillo who did well to find Nadeau who was still tasked with a difficult finish as his shot ended up bouncing off of the post to keep the score all even at 0-0.

As the second half started so did the action as both teams started to grow into the game, the first fifteen was all NoVa as they started to string together passes and started to test Christos keeper Daniel McCleary.  McCleary would have two big saves early in the second half as NoVa controlled the majority of the possession but could not find the opening goal.

Christos would find their footing as the second half carried on and would start putting NoVa keeper Tyler Back to work, each time he would be equal as he made multiple diving saves. The biggest though would come in the 75th minute as Christos was awarded a penalty and it looked like they’d finally break the deadlock. Cody Albrecht would step up for Christos and take the penalty,  he’d shoot low and hard to the bottom left corner but the outstretched hands of Back would parry the ball out for a corner and keep the score all level.

It was starting to look as if these two teams would need extra time to decide the winner as neither could capitalize on their chances. Then, in the 85th minute it’d be heartbreak for NoVa and complete jubilation for Christos as what appeared to be an ordinary deflected shot in the air was anything but. Both the NoVa center back and keeper yelled out for the other to claim but the ball would fall in between them to Clement Blanc of Christos who made no mistake and fired the ball into the empty net. Blanc’s somersault celebration was the icing on the cake as it’d be the winning goal.

Christos will return to the US Open Cup proper which begins in March as they will try to recapture the magic from their Open Cup debut in 2017 when they put a scare into D.C. United of Major League Soccer. If they’re able to recreate that run or even go further is now in their hands.

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Chicago House qualify again with 2 late goals vs. Valhalla FC

by

Photo: Chuck Carlson

In a game that appeared to be headed to extra time, Chicago House AC scored a pair of goals in the final minutes to beat Valhalla FC, 3-1. With the road win, Chicago qualifies for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the second year in a row.

When Chicago House arrived in Ohio on Nov. 18 for their fourth round Open Cup qualifying match with Valhalla FC, the skies were dark gray and rain was coming down. As the team stepped on to the field at Charity Lucas Stadium in Milford, OH to practice, returning players were happy to see lights surrounding the field after the 2022 “Brockton Blackout” qualification game. They wouldn’t need to come into play anyway as Saturday, Nov. 19 was a beautiful, sunny, crisp fall day in Southern Ohio. Perfect conditions for an Open Cup qualifier.

Chicago House was coming into the match after a first-round bye and two tight wins over fellow Chicago teams Wisloka Chicago and Edgewater Castle. They hadn’t played a league game since July 22, so House Coach Matt Poland had to keep his team game ready with intense practices and the occasional scrimmage. Meanwhile Valhalla, a team created in 2018 with ambitions of high-level national competition, were coming off a convincing 10-1 win over Sahara Gunners FC (Buffalo, NY) in their Third Round Open Cup qualifier.

The afternoon game began with the Cincinnati-based Valhalla FC playing two strikers up top, their midfielders sat deep, close to their defenders, and they kicked the ball up field directly to those two big forwards at every opportunity. In the 9th minute Fin Sallows of Valhalla should have put the Ohio men in the lead. A long ball, which House keeper Tony Halterman hesitated on due to bright sun, fell to the Valhalla striker. But he blazed the ball over the bar from inside the 6-yard box. The game then settled into a stalemate pattern of House trying to work the ball up the field with short passes and wide play, and Valhalla playing direct from back to strikers when they had the ball. In the 40th minute a House clearance on one of those long balls didn’t fully clear their defensive zone and Valhalla’s Connor Clark shot was deflected into the path of Andre Novakovich, who, despite House calls for offside, slotted past Halterman to put Valhalla up 1-0.

Being down a goal seemed to wake up House, and the Chicagoans began pressing for an equalizer before half. That goal came in the 45th minute from House forward Alejandro Mentasti. Ricardo “Kiki” Avalos smartly played a quick throw-in at midfield to Captain AR Smith, who gave the ball back to a streaking Avalos on the left wing. Avalos then played a dangerous cross which Valhalla keeper Ian McNamara could not hold. The ball bounced around the box before falling to Mentasti, who put it in the back of the net for 1-1 score at halftime.

The second half followed the first half pattern of House working the ball around the field with short passes and wide play, while Valhalla tried to be dangerous with direct passes from the back to their big frontmen. At any point, if a House defender had had any missteps one of Valhalla’s dangerous strike duo would have latched on to a long ball. House avoided making any mistakes and in the 89th minute House earned a late corner kick. Jhon Alzate swung in a dangerous ball which Elias McCloud, who had been standing in front of Valhalla’s keeper, stepped away from goal. He headed a shot past McNamara, and House were up 2-1 with only six minutes of stoppage time remaining.

In that stoppage time, Valhalla upped their direct play with more urgency and pushed their defenders higher up the field. Despite this home team pressure, and House looking to defend their lead for the final few minutes, this pressing Valhalla offense left their defense vulnerable to a House counter. In the 2nd minute of stoppage, one of those counters resulted in a Valhalla foul 20 yards from McNamara’s goal. It was then House’s Pau Mateo Chacon in the third minute of stoppage, who sealed the win with a classy, low free kick from 20 yards out to put House up 3-1 and the game out of reach for the home side.

In that “Brockton Blackout” game of 2023 qualifying, House dramatically won a 9-8 penalty shootout in Massachusetts darkness. While this 3-1, regular time House AC 2024 qualifying win might look as if it was a comfortable victory, that would be deceiving as, until the final moments of regular time, this match could have easily gone either way.

House AC made an impressive run to the US Open Cup third round proper last year, where they were ultimately defeated by MLS Chicago Fire at Seat Geek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL. On the way to that third round all-Chicago match, House had beaten fellow Midwest Premier League team Milwaukee Bavarians in the first round before upsetting USL One side Forward Madison in a thrilling Second Round match. With this final round of qualifying victory over a tough Valhalla FC side, House have given themselves an opportunity to make another exciting Open Cup run in 2024.

FULL MATCH VIDEO

2024 US Open Cup Qualifying Final Round: Irvine Zeta’s early goal sets tone in win vs. Temecula FC

by

Photo: Irvine Zeta FC
Photo: Irvine Zeta FC

A goal in the 2nd minute set the tempo for Irvine Zeta FC to defeat Temecula FC 3-1 in the “Win & You’re In” round of the Open Division Local qualifying tournament for the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“We’re very happy that we got the qualification for the Open Cup. It was a tough game. We were lucky to score earlier,” said head coach Alexis Ubillus.

After starting with the ball, Temecula FC tried to regain possession but a missed pass to the defense led to an early goal to give Irvine Zeta FC the lead.

In the 2nd minute, the missed touch gave Irvine Zeta FC’s  Cristian Fernandez Mejia the opportunity to gain possession and his shot was just outside of the goalies  reach to give his team a 1-0 advantage.

Falling short that early on gave Temecula FC extra momentum to even out the score before the half ended.

However, Irvine Zeta FC responded to the increased pressure but had two yellow cards awarded to Ivan Torres and Joseph John Barry in the 34th and 35th minute.

The fouls and aggressive played continued until the end of the half. But no more goals were made and left Irvine Zeta FC still holding the lead.

As the second half commenced, the fight for possession continued but remained steady between both teams. Each made successful attempts for offensive plays but we’re struck down by each of the defensive lines.

“The second half, we did much better. We controlled the game, we scored the goals. Overall, it was a good game,” Ubillus said.

It wasn’t long for Irvine Zeta FC to find a break away and gain its second goal of the match. In the 58th minute, a cross from midfield to Ivan Torres gave him the chance to shoot to the far left goal post; where the ball managed to hit the post and bounced back into the net for a 2-0 advantage.

Though they were falling behind, Temecula FC didn’t lose its determination to get on the board. Several close opportunities in front of the goal were made but were either saved or played out of bound.

In the 77th minute, Irvine Zeta FC would again extend their lead to 3-0 when Daniel Moreno would complete the pass from Mejia.

In the final minutes of the match, a foul made in Irvine Zeta FC’s goalie box would award Temecula FC Braedon O’Neill a penalty kick in the 90+1 minute. O’Neill was able to provide a goal for his team and end the match with a 3-1 score. 

Copyright © 2026 • Built by Jacob Martella Web Development